Family hopes marrow transplant will help sisters

Published: April 18, 2004 8:00PM

John Lowe
The Daily Jeffersonian
The first time Amanda Pearce suspected something was seriously wrong with her daughter occurred when Christina fell and bumped her head.
The girl, who will be 3 years old in June, did what any toddler would do under those circumstances. She cried.
But when the crying stopped, Christinas face remained locked in a crying grimace. Many minutes passed after the crying ceased before Christinas face returned to a normal expression.
She started having problems with her face, Amanda said, and its been one problem after another ever since.
Trips to the physician finally revealed the cause alpha mannosidosis.
The diagnosed ailment is a deficiency of an enzyme that allows a muscle to relax after it has contracted. Hence, the muscles tend to lock up.
The disorders have led to a variety of development problems for Christina.
She has gross motor delay, Amanda said.
She has trouble walking. She has a hearing loss. And she has a real problem with colds.
She has a weakened immune system, Matthew Pearce said.
She also has developed a hunchback in her lower back, a rare condition since it typically manifests itself in the upper back.
Unfortunately, the problems will not end there.
The older she gets, Amanda said, the worse it will get. She will lose the use of one organ after another.
Although alpha mannosidosis is rare, the couple has learned that their younger daughter, Kayla, also has the disorder.
Fortunately, there may be a solution.
On May 3, Christina will be going to Columbus. On May 14, she will receive a bone marrow transplant at Childrens Hospital.
Physicians believe that new marrow will correct the enzyme deficiency.
The young family will have to contend with the expenses of the procedure and of living in Columbus until the procedure is completed on both girls.
This past weekend, they had a garage and a bake sale at their residence, 541 Jefferson Avenue, to help raise funds.
Another fund-raiser may be in the works.